Maxtible erases Mollie’s suspicions and commands Terrall
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Maxtible hypnotizes Mollie to erase her memories and dispel her suspicions about the strange events in the house, ensuring her continued obedience and ignorance.
Maxtible reveals to Terrall that he used mesmerism on Victoria to persuade her to cooperate with the Daleks, hinting at his manipulative control over people.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Deeply conflicted, oscillating between a plea for autonomy and the inevitability of his submission to the Daleks. His emotional state is one of despair, with flashes of defiance quickly crushed by external control.
Arthur Terrall watches as Maxtible hypnotizes Mollie, his own mental state visibly fractured. He pleads with Maxtible for help, revealing his internal struggle between his own will and the Daleks’ telepathic control. When Maxtible commands him to retrieve Victoria, Terrall initially resists but ultimately obeys after hearing the Daleks’ voice, his compliance underscoring his enslavement. His physical presence is tense, his voice desperate and conflicted.
- • Seek help from Maxtible to break free from the Daleks’ psychological grip, even momentarily.
- • Resist Maxtible’s commands to retrieve Victoria, but ultimately succumbs to the Daleks’ telepathic orders.
- • He is trapped in a cycle of mental torment, unable to escape the Daleks’ influence.
- • Maxtible may offer a path to freedom, but his true allegiance lies with the Daleks, making his pleas futile.
Fearful and isolated, her emotional state is implied through the actions of others. She is a pawn in the Daleks’ and Maxtible’s schemes, her autonomy stripped away.
Victoria Waterfield is mentioned as the target of Terrall’s retrieval mission, her abduction and psychological manipulation serving as the catalyst for the scene’s tension. Though not physically present, her absence looms large, symbolizing the Daleks’ and Maxtible’s control over the household. Her cries, dismissed as a dream by Mollie, highlight the fragility of human resistance in the face of such manipulation.
- • None (her goals are not explicitly stated, but her implied goal is to escape and regain her freedom).
- • Serve as a lever for the Doctor and others to disrupt the Daleks’ plans.
- • She is at the mercy of her captors, with no immediate means of escape.
- • Her cries for help are ignored or dismissed, reinforcing her helplessness.
Trance-like and emotionally detached, her surface calm masking the erasure of her autonomy and critical faculties. She exhibits no resistance or awareness of the manipulation.
Mollie Dawson stands vacantly in front of Maxtible, her eyes fixed on the jewelled fob watch as he swings it. She succumbs to his mesmerism, her voice monotonous and compliant. Maxtible rewrites her memories, convincing her that Victoria’s cries were merely a dream. After the trance, she leaves the room, her suspicions erased and her mind at ease, unaware of the psychological manipulation she has just endured.
- • None (her actions are entirely dictated by Maxtible’s hypnotic control).
- • Unconsciously comply with Maxtible’s commands to maintain her role as a passive participant in the household’s secrets.
- • Her suspicions about Victoria’s abduction are unfounded and imaginary, as Maxtible has implanted in her mind.
- • She must obey Maxtible’s instructions without question, as her hypnotized state dictates.
Coldly authoritative, with a veneer of paternalistic concern masking his true intentions. He exhibits a calculated detachment, treating human suffering as a means to an end.
Theodore Maxtible sits in a wing chair, swinging a jewelled fob watch before Mollie Dawson’s vacant gaze. He methodically induces a hypnotic trance, erasing her suspicions about Victoria Waterfield’s abduction by rewriting her memories as a dream. His voice is calm yet commanding, revealing his mastery over psychological manipulation. After dismissing Mollie, he turns to Arthur Terrall, exploiting his Dalek-induced vulnerability to command him to retrieve Victoria through a hidden passage. His actions underscore his ruthless control over the household and his allegiance to the Daleks’ agenda.
- • Erase Mollie’s suspicions about Victoria’s abduction to maintain secrecy and control over the household.
- • Exploit Arthur Terrall’s Dalek-induced vulnerability to ensure his compliance in retrieving Victoria, reinforcing Maxtible’s authority over him.
- • Human emotions and suspicions can be systematically erased or controlled through hypnosis.
- • Arthur Terrall’s fractured mental state makes him a reliable pawn for the Daleks’ objectives.
Determined yet burdened by the weight of his actions. He is aware of the ethical implications of his experiment but remains focused on thwarting the Daleks, even at great cost.
The Doctor is not physically present during this specific event but is referenced in Maxtible’s dialogue about the progress of the 'human factor' experiment. His parallel conversation with Waterfield about the capsules adds thematic tension, contrasting Maxtible’s manipulation with the Doctor’s scientific gambit to subvert the Daleks. The Doctor’s actions, though off-screen, drive the broader conflict and underscore the stakes of the experiment.
- • Complete the 'human factor' capsules to implant into the Daleks, potentially driving them insane or creating super-beings.
- • Rescue Victoria and Jamie from the Daleks’ control, regardless of the broader consequences.
- • The experiment is a necessary risk to disrupt the Daleks’ plans, even if it results in unintended consequences.
- • Human emotions, when implanted into Daleks, may either destroy them or elevate them to an unstoppable force.
Jamie McCrimmon is not physically present during this event but is referenced by the Doctor as the source of the …
Edward Waterfield is not physically present during this event but is referenced by Maxtible as his 'usefulness nearing its end.' …
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The 'human factor' capsules are referenced in the Doctor’s dialogue with Waterfield, though they are not physically present during this specific event. These fragile glass capsules, threaded with fine wiring, contain synthesized human emotions—courage, pity, chivalry, friendship, and compassion—imprinted from Jamie’s reactions. They are poised for implantation into the dormant Dalek brains, representing the Doctor’s desperate gambit to subvert the Daleks’ plan. The capsules symbolize the tension between human values and Dalek supremacy, serving as both a potential weapon and a moral dilemma.
The hidden wall switch is a mechanical device embedded in Maxtible’s laboratory wall. When activated by Maxtible, it slides open a panel, revealing a secret passageway leading to Victoria’s location. The switch is a symbol of the household’s layered secrecy and Maxtible’s control over covert movement. Its activation underscores the Daleks’ and Maxtible’s ability to manipulate the environment and the people within it, facilitating Terrall’s retrieval mission. The switch is purely functional, serving as a gateway to further psychological and physical domination.
The jewelled fob watch is the central tool of Maxtible’s hypnotic manipulation. He swings it rhythmically before Mollie’s eyes, its gems catching the light and drawing her into a trance. The watch serves as a symbol of his psychological control over the household, allowing him to erase Mollie’s suspicions about Victoria’s abduction by rewriting her memories. Its swaying motion and reflective surface induce a hypnotic state, making Mollie compliant and suggestible. The watch’s role is purely functional, facilitating Maxtible’s domination and reinforcing the theme of coercion.
The wing chair in Maxtible’s laboratory serves as a throne of authority, from which he conducts his hypnotic manipulations and issues commands. Seated in the chair, Maxtible exudes dominance and control, using it as a physical manifestation of his psychological power over the household. The chair’s presence underscores the hierarchical nature of the laboratory and the Daleks’ influence, with Maxtible acting as their human intermediary. Its role is purely symbolic, reinforcing the theme of coercion and submission.
The thick iron bar, previously bent by Kemel to demonstrate his strength, is referenced in the Doctor’s conversation with Waterfield. Though not physically present during this event, the bar symbolizes the futility of resistance in the face of the Daleks’ and Maxtible’s control. Waterfield’s earlier attempt to use it to sabotage the Doctor’s work underscores the desperation of those trapped in the household’s psychological grip. The bar’s presence, even off-screen, serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional violence underlying the conflict.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Maxtible’s laboratory is the central hub of psychological manipulation and scientific experimentation in this scene. It is cluttered with alchemical tools and equipment, including the 'human factor' capsules and the hidden wall switch. The laboratory’s atmosphere is tense and oppressive, with Maxtible seated in a wing chair, swinging a jewelled fob watch to hypnotize Mollie. The Daleks’ unseen presence looms large, their influence felt through Terrall’s torment and Maxtible’s commands. The laboratory serves as the stage for the erosion of human autonomy, with Maxtible acting as the Daleks’ human puppet master.
Victoria’s Room in the South Wing is the holding cell where Victoria Waterfield is kept captive by the Daleks. The room is constant surveillance, with mechanical intrusions taunting her isolation. A dropped embroidered handkerchief evokes her lost freedom, and the shadows deepen the sense of confinement. Terrall enters via the hidden passage from the laboratory, commanded by Maxtible to retrieve her. The room’s atmosphere is one of psychological strain and enforced obedience, with Victoria’s cries dismissed as a dream by Mollie, underscoring her helplessness.
The Trophy Room is the initial setting for Maxtible’s hypnotic session with Mollie, where he swings the jewelled fob watch to erase her suspicions. The room is lined with glass cases showcasing Circassian artifacts and trophies, creating an atmosphere of historical grandeur and collected power. Swords hang ready for combat, and a sideboard bears untouched drinks, adding to the room’s sense of frozen time. The Trophy Room serves as a transitional space, where Maxtible’s psychological manipulations begin before moving to the laboratory for further control. Its atmosphere is one of isolation and tension, with every clash and breakdown amplified by the room’s formal decor.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Daleks are the unseen force behind Maxtible’s actions in this event, exerting psychological control over Terrall and influencing the household’s dynamics. Their voice is heard commanding Terrall to obey Maxtible, reinforcing their authority over human pawns. The Daleks’ presence is felt through Terrall’s torment and the implantation of the 'human factor' capsules, which are intended to create super-Daleks. Their influence is pervasive, shaping the scene’s themes of coercion, domination, and the fragility of free will. The Daleks’ goals are advanced through Maxtible’s manipulations, with Terrall serving as their reluctant enforcer.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Jamie suspects Victoria was drugged or hypnotized and that there was an inside accomplice. We then see that Maxtible reveals to Terrall that he used mesmerism on Victoria, confirming Jamie's suspicions about manipulation, and his suspicion of an accomplice."
Jamie uncovers signs of internal betrayal"Maxtible reveals using hypnotism on Victoria, directly leading to his command for Terrall to retrieve her, showcasing Maxtible's control over Terrall and furthering the manipulation plot."
Maxtible weaponizes Terrall’s suffering"Maxtible reveals using hypnotism on Victoria, directly leading to his command for Terrall to retrieve her, showcasing Maxtible's control over Terrall and furthering the manipulation plot."
Waterfield’s Moral Breaking Point"Waterfield expresses his growing horror at the potential of 'human factor' capsules, which ultimately leads to Waterfield urging the Doctor to stop the experiment."
Maxtible weaponizes Terrall’s suffering"Waterfield expresses his growing horror at the potential of 'human factor' capsules, which ultimately leads to Waterfield urging the Doctor to stop the experiment."
Waterfield’s Moral Breaking Point"Maxtible reveals using hypnotism on Victoria, directly leading to his command for Terrall to retrieve her, showcasing Maxtible's control over Terrall and furthering the manipulation plot."
Maxtible weaponizes Terrall’s suffering"Maxtible reveals using hypnotism on Victoria, directly leading to his command for Terrall to retrieve her, showcasing Maxtible's control over Terrall and furthering the manipulation plot."
Waterfield’s Moral Breaking Point"Maxtible orders Terrall to retrieve Victoria, which directly results in Terrall appearing and pulling Victoria through a hidden passage from the lumber room."
Jamie’s tactical doubt exposes Dalek anomaly"Maxtible orders Terrall to retrieve Victoria, which directly results in Terrall appearing and pulling Victoria through a hidden passage from the lumber room."
Victoria abducted through hidden passage"Maxtible orders Terrall to retrieve Victoria, which directly results in Terrall appearing and pulling Victoria through a hidden passage from the lumber room."
Jamie and Kemel escape Dalek capture"Waterfield expresses his growing horror at the potential of 'human factor' capsules, which ultimately leads to Waterfield urging the Doctor to stop the experiment."
Maxtible weaponizes Terrall’s suffering"Waterfield expresses his growing horror at the potential of 'human factor' capsules, which ultimately leads to Waterfield urging the Doctor to stop the experiment."
Waterfield’s Moral Breaking PointThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"MAXTIBLE: You are paying attention, Mollie? MOLLIE: Yes, sir. MAXTIBLE: Then keep your eyes fixed on the jewel. See how the light catches it? Every facet sparkles, does it not? MOLLIE: Yes, sir. MAXTIBLE: Flashing, flashing, like a collection of sparks. But I know you are tired, Mollie. You are tired, are you not? Tell me. MOLLIE: I am tired. MAXTIBLE: Then close your eyes and sleep. You need have no fear, my child. A deep, heavy sleep. Oh, you are so exhausted. And now, in your sleep, you will hear only my voice."
"MAXTIBLE: You have been dreaming, Mollie. Dreaming that there are mysteries in this house, that all is not well. You have dreamt that you heard the voice of Miss Waterfield. But it was all your imagination. It was nothing but a dream. Do you understand? MOLLIE: Nothing but a dream."
"TERRALL: Maxtible, help me! MAXTIBLE: What do you mean? TERRALL: I seem to be in the grip of something. Sometimes my thoughts are clear, sometimes muddled. I don't know what's happened. Help me. MAXTIBLE: I can only help you if you obey me. TERRALL: But I obey our masters. MAXTIBLE: I prefer to call them our colleagues. It is their wish that you should obey me."
"MAXTIBLE: This entrance leads to the south wing of my house and to a certain room. You will fetch Victoria Waterfield and bring her to me. TERRALL: But, Maxtible. MAXTIBLE: Do as you are told! VOICE: [OC] Obey! Obey! Obey! MAXTIBLE: Well? TERRALL: I will bring Victoria to you."